dells68 7,498 #1 Posted February 19, 2020 I had been sitting on this deal for a while. A buddy found a salvage yard near his work about 3 hours away that luckily keeps old iron that they may think has value. He got a Cub Cadet 70, an oddball, and I got the 856. It will have to have the correct steering wheel, new tires on the front and some general love and care. All in all, I think we both did well! If I told you what we paid, I’d have to wear a mask! We were able to buy them by the pound rather than their real value!! Any ideas what his oddball is? 3 5 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rjg854 11,349 #2 Posted February 19, 2020 Bolens 2 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
The Tuul Crib 7,336 #3 Posted February 19, 2020 Not sure of the oddball what it is but by the looks of that transmission it Has to be pretty tough nice find Dells!! Will be watching! 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dells68 7,498 #4 Posted February 19, 2020 2 minutes ago, rjg854 said: Bolens That’s what i thought, but it doesn’t seem to be up to Bolens quality standards, but it is neat. The foot rest on the left pivots to activate the brake and clutch. Either way, both of us are excited! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Shynon 7,459 #5 Posted February 19, 2020 Porter Cable 3 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Pullstart 62,783 #6 Posted February 19, 2020 Sweet Horse deal Dell! I love those little diamond tread tires on the Porter Cable / Bolens / whatever it is! 1 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dells68 7,498 #7 Posted February 19, 2020 56 minutes ago, pullstart said: Sweet Horse deal Dell! I love those little diamond tread tires on the Porter Cable / Bolens / whatever it is! Me too, but sadly one of them has perfect tread, just needs sidewalls! 1 3 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Stepney 2,325 #8 Posted February 19, 2020 As above, thats an early 60's Porter Cable. I had one myself. I'm more interested in the power mower .. Penncraft/Wards? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WHNJ701 4,165 #9 Posted February 19, 2020 (edited) it's not a porter cable, it's dura corp/lawn master which was right after porter cable sold off its tractor line, yours is much more uncommon! it's the basically the same tractor with a different hood. most likely a 1960 or 1961. Edited February 19, 2020 by jabelman 5 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WHNJ701 4,165 #10 Posted February 19, 2020 when you open the hood there should be an aluminum tag where the hood latches by the steering wheel 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Pollack Pete 2,273 #11 Posted February 19, 2020 Nice scrap yard finds. I can't believe what some people throw away.Of course,I like the WH best,but would not have refused the other two.Have fun with your new toy. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wildman 205 #12 Posted February 19, 2020 Great score on the trio 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
peter lena 8,580 #13 Posted February 19, 2020 dells68, great score on that, just the fact that these are from the iron/steel era makes it a winner, you can make them into anything you want , knowing that the baseline frame / chassis does not exit today , is a huge plus, good luck with your choice, pete 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Pullstart 62,783 #14 Posted February 19, 2020 I think he only got the Horse, sounds like his buddy landed the other two. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dells68 7,498 #15 Posted February 19, 2020 1 hour ago, pullstart said: I think he only got the Horse, sounds like his buddy landed the other two. You got it Kevin. All works out pretty much the same. Joe and I joke that we’re bearded brothers from another mother. His son, Clay, and Emory are good buddies as well. It’s just nice to see him and his son getting to enjoy stuff like this together. This hobby is as much or more about friendships as the tractors! 3 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
oilwell1415 563 #16 Posted February 19, 2020 The one on the back is a Porter Cable knock off, but I'm not sure what brand it is. I tried to buy one just like it a few months ago but the guy wouldn't return my messages. I searched all over for it and couldn't even find another tractor that looked like it. Yours is only the second one I've seen. I wouldn't say I'm an authority on it, but nobody here knew what it was either. The nose looks like a Massey Ferguson to me, and MF did sell the PC tractors for a while, but the pics of those I found showed them to look completely different. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WHNJ701 4,165 #17 Posted February 19, 2020 44 minutes ago, oilwell1415 said: The one on the back is a Porter Cable knock off, but I'm not sure what brand it is. I tried to buy one just like it a few months ago but the guy wouldn't return my messages. I searched all over for it and couldn't even find another tractor that looked like it. Yours is only the second one I've seen. I wouldn't say I'm an authority on it, but nobody here knew what it was either. The nose looks like a Massey Ferguson to me, and MF did sell the PC tractors for a while, but the pics of those I found showed them to look completely different. I wouldn't say its a knock off!, porter cable sold the design off in late 1959 and from there tree had many branches. the key is posting a photo of the serial tag. @dells68 a few with that hood style had "m/w" as the prefix, Montgomery wards? we always thought it was built by lawnmaster 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
oilwell1415 563 #18 Posted February 19, 2020 Knock off may not be the right phrase, but it's based on that design. I found some pics of the Montgomery Ward versions of the tractor when I was looking at the one last year and I think I remember them having a more square hood than this. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dells68 7,498 #19 Posted February 19, 2020 Joe tracked it down to a Dura/Moto Mower we think. He’s only found two images of one of them. Below are the pics he has of one. Seems like production numbers are pretty low. The 856 has had the shift rails stuck. I did manage to get it to start going into 2nd and 3rd pretty smoothly. It rolls well with no weird noises, so I think the shift rails have just stuck from sitting. I’m going to remove the shifter and peck on the 1st/R rail to see if it will slide into gear. I feel like a kid with a new toy!! 1 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SylvanLakeWH 25,490 #20 Posted February 19, 2020 Nice find! Congratulations! 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Pullstart 62,783 #21 Posted February 19, 2020 You never did say what you gave for it... $20? Maybe that’s high at today’s scrap rate.... 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WHNJ701 4,165 #22 Posted February 19, 2020 well I take back from uncommon and I am changing it to rare!! that's Montgomery wards aristocrat in all original paint, with the original engine and mower deck. might want to keep that one all orginal/patina or at least get good photos of all the lettering, I never seen this version all original like this one. as said this design/setup was built/sold by many different names. I will send you the a pdf of the transaxle well done!! 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
oliver2-44 9,679 #23 Posted February 20, 2020 The Dura/Moto Mower chassis sold under many brand names with mainly a different front hood. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dells68 7,498 #24 Posted February 20, 2020 Well, I had about 10 min to play yesterday. I pulled the shifter from the 856 and pecked on the shift rails. Put the shifter back in and pecked it a little as I applied pressure to it and she now shifts into all gears! Might be a pretty good find! @pullstart, I’m not going to talk about price too much, just happy to have saved another! The yard does jack up the price per pound a little to make something for saving them though. I’ll still gladly pay them to keep it from going to the crusher! 1 3 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dells68 7,498 #25 Posted March 29, 2020 I took a while today to clean the governor arm, clean the carb, and check the wiring on my 856. To my surprise she started right up with no smoke! Runs really good to have set so long! Gonna put an exhaust on it tomorrow along with some front wheels and go for a test ride. Not bad, not bad at all! 2 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
